IT'S 10 o’clock on Saturday morning.
The second match of the NAB AFL Under-16 championships, featuring Victorian rivals – Metro and Country – is about to take place at the newly-unveiled Blacktown Olympic Park Oval in Rooty Hill, western Sydney.
Outside the back of the main oval, the Vic Country boys start warming up.
Soon after, Nathan Buckley, strides out, tall and purposeful.
Dressed in navy blue colours, akin to a Carlton coach, his aura glistens like the glorious sunny conditions.
The Collingwood great is quickly involved in pre-match drills.
He slaps the back of Piva Wright, a 16-year-old defender from Dandenong Stingrays of Samoan heritage, offering encouragement.
It's already been a big day for 'Bucks'. He was up at 4.30am for a Melbourne flight to Sydney at 6.30am, having provided expert commentary the previous night for Channel 7, where his former team defeated Essendon at the MCG.
It's understood Buckley, in his debut as head coach for Vic Country, is as nervous as his players. It's almost hard to fathom one of the all-time greats with butterflies, but it shows he cares.
At 11am, it's game time.
Contested football is the immediate Country trademark in an engrossing first quarter of elite under-16 football.
As the quarter-time siren sounds, it's Bucks' boys by 15 points.
But intra-state rivalry results in a willing first break melee – particularly for youngsters.
Emerging out of the stand and soon to overshadow the fracas is Buckley, who enters the arena for his first quarter-time address.
As he appears onto the ground, he is a man with an unwavering focus. And just as he did on the back oval pre-match, Buckley strides out like a man on a mission.
Only this time, he completely ignores his charges, still involved in the scuffle and not far from where the huddle will take place.
Buckley's sole intention is to set up in an area he wants to address his team. His boys soon take note of Buckley's presence and it's not long before the heated exchange peters out and they gather around the great man.
"When you're ready," are Buckley's first words. "In tight," he follows up.
His first address is positive, clear and concise. Statistics are revealed, with contested possessions and tackling an emphasis. He praises players.
He finishes with a key point: "We've had a really good start; let's build on it."
Observations in the second quarter turn to Buckley in the coaching box.
He sits calmly, often with left index finger resting on cheek and middle finger and thumb holding up chin.
Former Bulldog and Richmond football manager Paul Armstrong, a respected football figure now working with the AFL Coaches Association, stands and observes from the back.
The 2003 joint-Brownlow Medallist uses his walkie talkie to communicate with Robert Hyde, the Vic Country under-18 coach. Hyde, a former Magpie and Bomber, is on the boundary line assisting and learning about his future players.
Composure and control is a feature of Buckley's coaching. Nails go to mouth once, the same number of times his head shakes.
At the main change, Country leads by 17 points. That margin is blown out to 43 points at three quarter-time after Country boots 4.4 to 0.2 in the third term.
Just before he gives his final address during the game, Buckley consults with Hyde over the magnet board.
He then turns to his boys. Again, his traits are consistent with his quarter-time speech.
"Okay boys, really well done," Buckley starts.
Simon Deery receives high praise.
"Fantastic mate … prepared to take risks."
Sam Gordon too.
"Really good work going back with the flight [of the ball]."
The match is seemingly in the bag, but Buckley leaves his group with one final message: "Let's put them to the sword and finish this game."
It is classic footy speak, but one that gets a parting roar from the boys.
Twenty minutes later, Nathan Buckley has coached his team to a 60-point win.
It's a dream start.
Having 'peaked' in the immediate celebrations of a win, Buckley prepares for his post-match address.
First, he attends to the whiteboard like the teacher is he, as the players warm down behind him. He assembles the respective stats to the areas that matter to him. His whiteboard reveals three key areas:
1. Win our own ball – hard
2. Run to outnumber/receive/support – fast
3. Mass pressure – first to snap; tackle with intent
Buckley then gets started, as the players devour their pre-packed lunches.
"Well done, really well done. We did exactly what we wanted to do," he says before breaking down each point on the whiteboard.
Explaining his numbers, Buckley asks his group: "Are you guys happy to keep these as our main focus?"
In typical teenage fashion "yeps" are muttered.
Buckley then responds: "So you're happy to measured by that?"
"Yep" again comes from the group.
"Okay, then," Buckley replies.
The coach then reviews every player in front of teammates, officials and parents.
For 15 minutes, Buckley is brilliant in his assessment.
He communicates what every player did for the team, what pleased him and even for those that had a tough day – although there weren't many – he always finishes with positive feedback.
One example was his assessment of the highly-rated Tomas Bugg.
"Buggy, how did you go today?" Buckley asks.
"Tough day," is Bugg's response.
"Found it hard to get into it? Well, there are going to be opportunities for you later in the week. But I thought you stuck to it … your work-rate needs to come up a bit, but we know you've got it in you," Buckley adds.
Following his player analysis, the inaugural 1993 AFL Rising Star stresses the importance of recovery – especially with three matches in seven days – and mateship.
"Look after yourself. Enjoy each other's company and enjoy the win – you've got to enjoy the wins, otherwise you don't get any reward for your work. You've put a lot of work into this match and now you've got to rest up and heal your wounds," Buckley says.
"Well done, guys."
His address caps off a perfect coaching debut for a football perfectionist.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
